Some of the biggest thrift stores (like Goodwill and The Salvation Army) are nonprofit organizations, but it's a common misconception that all thrift stores are nonprofits. As it happens, many thrift stores are for-profit. If you're looking to support your community, it pays to pay attention.
"Most nonprofits are pretty proud of their mission, and their financial data is generally pretty transparent too," Kristen McCormack, director of Boston University's nonprofit management program and the creator of the nonprofit organization Boston Food Bank, revealed to Mic. "[For-profit companies'] primary responsibilities are to their shareholders."
Nevertheless, some for-profit thrift stores donate to charity. "Most of our stores have a different local charity to receive donations every day of the week," Stephanie Lew, marketing director of the for-profit thrift store conglomerate Buffalo Exchange, told Mic. Beacon's Closet, a for-profit New York City thrift store chain, also donates clothing they are unable to sell to various charities. According to the company's site, Beacon's Closet has donated over $100,000 to charity as of August 2019. Your local thrift store may donate to charity more, less, or not at all, so you may find it beneficial to do some digging.
